Phoenix Symphony Plans ‘Big, Bold and Beethoven’ for 2019-20 Season

The Phoenix Symphony has announced its 2019-20 season lineup, with a nod to the arguably the greatest composer of all time.

“Beethoven changed the course of music and has had huge impact on everything you hear today,” said Virginia G. Piper Music Director Tito Muñoz, “In honor of his 250th birthday we’re kicking off a two-season celebration of all of Beethoven’s great orchestral works.”

The Phoenix Symphony will perform masterworks from Beethoven, as well as from Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saëns, alongside newer compositions from young American composers.

The Pops performances include unique shows such as Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert, Home Alone in Concert, A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Disney’s Magical Music from the Movies and more. And special performances include the next two installments of the popular Harry PotterTMFilm Concert Series and the return of Tim Burton’s delightfully spooky The Nightmare Before Christmas™on Halloween weekend, a 2018 sold-out run.

“We’re excited to put the power of live music on display,” said Jim Ward, President & CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. “With our diverse programming, the Symphony can bring music into everyone’s lives, from Beethoven to live feature films to holiday favorites.”

Highlights from the 2019/20 Season include:

• Opening Night: Tito Muñoz opens the season with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as the symphony embarks on a two-season long celebration of Beethoven to commemorate his 250thbirthday.

• A multimedia presentation of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back brought to life by the orchestra while the full film is projected onto a huge screen.

• The orchestra, chorus members and soloists fill every inch of the stage at Symphony Hall for a performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

• The next two installments of The Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert, and Harry Potter and theHalf-Blood Prince in Concert

• Beethoven’s only Violin Concerto, a piece revived years after his death that has remained a staple in the repertoire ever since.

• Hits from Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Beatles, The Who, Elton John and Billy Joel performed live by The Phoenix Symphony as vocalist Michael Cavanaugh returns for the Music of Billy Joel & More.

• The Phoenix Symphony returns to Scottsdale Center for the Arts for a three concert series with a focus on the similarities and contrasts of the works of Mendelssohn and Schumann.

• The Music of ABBA concert featuring The Phoenix Symphony and Finnish pop sensation Rajaton in their Phoenix Symphony debut.

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Frontdoors Media celebrates the people and groups who give generously and work to build the future of our community. It’s the premier source of information – and inspiration – for those who strive to make the Valley of the Sun a better place to live.